Inspirational Message Earth Day

Blessings!
Earth day is officially tomorrow - Thurs 22nd, but if you are like me, you have been thinking about it all week - especially as the weather changes from sun to snow, to wind, and back to sun again.  Perhaps, like me, you might be itching to work in the garden and in the soil.

At church last Sunday we were offered a challenge to pick up a bag of garbage, take a photo, and send it in.  I was pleasantly surprised when I walked the banks of the Avon River and was only able to find about 4 things to pick up.  Had people been there before me to clean up?  Or are people just being more careful to respect their surroundings? 

The 2021 Earth Day theme is “Restore Our Earth”.  It aims to examine natural processes, emerging green technologies and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.  Topics will include climate and environmental literacy, climate restoration technologies, reforestation efforts, regenerative agriculture, equity and environmental justice, citizen science, cleanups “and beyond.” 

Yes, that's right - Earth.org is arranging for hundreds of thousands of volunteers to be outside for the Great Global Cleanup going on around the world.  Communities across the world are dealing with extraordinary litter. The Ocean Conservancy announced that they collected more than 107,000 discarded items of personal protective equipment like face masks from beaches and waterways around the world during the second half of 2020.

So, I have registered Grace United in this global clean up.  I am off today to find some more garbage to fill my bag.  Please do the same, and don't forget to send in your photos by Friday morning for this week's newsletter, and for the Tavistock Gazette next week.

I leave you the words from More Voices 38 to remind you that everything in our world is connected as part of God's circle of creation.
Peace,  Rev. Gail

Each Blade of Grass
Each blade of grass, ev'ry wing that soars,
the waves that sweep across a distant shore,
make full the circle of God.
Each laughing child, ev'ry gentle eye,
a forest lit beneath a moon-bright sky, 
make full the circle of God.

Each silent paw, ev'ry rounded stone,
the buzz that echoes from a honey'd comb
make full the circle of God.
Each fire-brimmed star, ev'ry outstretched hand,
the wind that leaps and sails across the land,
make full the circle of God.

Each icy peak, ev'ry patterned shell,
the joyous chorus that the dawn foretells, 
make full the circle of God.
Each cosmic hue, ev'ry creature's way,
all form the beauty of this vast array,
making full the circle of God.